While strolling through Hawaii on a pleasant day, amplify your experience by looking for special native plants. These plants have been flourishing on the island long before modern society and finding them can help you feel connected to the Hawaiian culture. Here’s a guide to three of the most compelling native plants you may encounter during your strolls.

Native Hawaiian Plants

1. Hawaiian Hibiscus

Koki'o ke'oke'o (Hibiscus arnottianus) can grow anywhere from 15 to 20 feet, and it blooms with white petals and an eye-catching pink or red stamen. Rare among hibiscus, it emits a wonderful, sweet fragrance at the beginning and end of each day. You may encounter this beauty in the forests of Moloka'i and O'ahu, or at the botanical garden at Waimea Valley. 

2. Koa Trees

Easier to spot is the koa (Acacia koa), and its the biggest native tree on the islands. This enormous structure can reach a whopping height of 115 feet and is most common on the Big Island, Maui, and Oʻahu. This tree is an essential part of old Hawaiian culture as the first islanders used its wood to build their canoes. Today, this valuable material is still used, and artisans create furniture as well as other modern crafts, like pens and watches.

3. Hāpu'u

This elegant fern (Cibotium chamissoi) is commonly found throughout O’ahu, and the fractals of its fronds are mesmerizing to the eye in large numbers. These ancient trees play a large role in Hawaiian culture since the fronds have been part of the lei-making process and the young fronds (hō'i'o) are eaten raw.

You can see all of these native Hawaiian plants on a walk through the gorgeous botanical garden in Waimea Valley in Haleiwa, HI. The beautiful 1,875-acre park preserves the old Hawaiian culture and pays homage to the ancient way of life. It protects native endangered species and plants, and cultural practitioners can be seen making lei and instruments or dancing hula. Learn more about the botanical garden online, or call (808) 638-7766 to inquire about admission.